Legislation
Fair Housing Act
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, on the basis of disability, or race, color, national origin, religion, sex or familial status. The Fair Housing Act also establishes certain design and construction requirements for multifamily dwellings consisting of four or more units constructed after March 13, 1991.
For more information on the Fair Housing Act, click here.
More than 10,000 fair housing discrimination complaints were filed in fiscal year 2010. Discrimination based on a person’s disability continued to be the largest single category of complaints. Of the 10,155 complaints filed with HUD and its Fair Housing Assistance Program partner agencies, 48 percent alleged disability discrimination.
- HUD Fair Housing Report, August 2011
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination based on disability in any program or activity that receives federal funds. For recipients of federal housing (HUD) funds, this includes the requirement that in new construction and substantial alterations at least 5% of the housing units be accessible to people with mobility impairments and at least 2% of the housing units be accessible to people with vision or hearing impairments. Section 504 also requires recipients to make reasonable accommodations, including structural changes, to enable access to housing for people with disabilities.
For more information on Section 504, click here.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Title II of the ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability in any programs, services and activities of public entities, including state and local public housing and housing assistance.
For more information on Title II of the ADA, click here.
Architectural Barriers Act
The Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 requires that buildings and facilities designed, constructed, altered or leased with federal funds after September 1969 be accessible by people with disabilities.
For more information on the Architectural Barriers Act, click here.
State and Local Laws
Many states have laws that address discrimination in housing. To see if your state has fair housing laws, click here.
Latest News
- NGA Chair Governor Jack Markell (DE) Releases Blueprint on the Employment of People with Disabilities
AAPD Press Team | 08/02/2013
- AAPD President and CEO Mark Perriello’s remarks at the Justice for All (JFA) awards
AAPD Press Team | 07/23/2013
